Weekly switching device for time switch having a rotating daily dial

ABSTRACT

A weekly switching device, for a time switch including a rotating dial and a switch-operating tappet adjustably mounted thereon for rotation therewith at an angular position representing the time of day, includes a stepping wheel mounted rotatably on the tappet and having a number of stepped positions evenly divisible by seven and representing days of the week. The stepping wheel is advanced one step during each revolution of the daily dial. Switch controlling means are selectively associated with the stepped positions and operate to make ineffective operation of an electric switch by the tappet, at the time of day represented by the angular position of the tappet, on the day represented by the selected stepped position of the switch controlling means.

United States Patent Inventor Johannes Pfister Birsstrasse 176, 4000Basel, Switzerland App]. No. 770,035 Filed Oct. 23, I968 Patented Feb.23, 1971 Priority Oct. 26, 1967 Switzerland 15,274

WEEKLY SWITCHING DEVICE FOR TIME SWITCH HAVING A ROTATING DAILY DIAL 7Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 200/38 Int. Cl H0lh 7/08 Field of Search 200/38 (D2), 38 (D1),38 (D3) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,300,513 11/1942 Lenehan200/38(D2) 2,691,485 12/1954 Kennedy,Jr 200/38(D2) Primary Examiner-H.0. Jones Attorney-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: A weekly switching device,for a time switch including a rotating dial and a switch-operatingtappet adjustably mounted thereon for rotation therewith at an angularposition representing the time of day, includes a stepping wheel mountedrotatably on the tappet and having a number of stepped positions evenlydivisible by seven and representing days of the week. The stepping wheelis advanced one step during each revolution of the daily dial. Switchcontrolling means are selectively associated with the stepped positionsand operate to make ineffective operation of an electric switch by thetappet, at the time of day represented by the angular position of thetappet, on the day represented by the selected stepped position of theswitch controlling means.

PATENTEU FEB23 19w 3566; 050

sumzurz 4 INVENTOR Johannes Pfister fllwm ATTORNEYS a wanker SWITCHINGDEVICE ron TIME swrrcn nAviNc A ROTATING DAILY DIAL BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Known switch tappets, for time switches having rotating dailydials, are arranged close to the periphery of the daily dial foroperative association with the operating means of an electric switch,such as a time or lockingswitch. The switch tappets preferably arearranged on a diameter of the daily dial. In such arrangements, theoperating means of a time switch, and which extend into the path of theswitch tappets, also may be positioned in a plane parallel to the daily.dial and other than that of the corresponding switch tappetsoperatively engageablewith the operating means. I

All known time switch arrangements-of this type, however, provide foronly so-called daily switching, while so-called weekly switching, suchas a switching operation performed only from I to 6 times per week, canbe effected only by means of an additional weekly dial. Switchingdevices actuated by known weekly dials have the disadvantage that thereare tolerances in time so that, in many instances, a weekly program canbe carried out only with complicated and thus expensive means.

For reasons of space, time switches used for higher switching efficiencyusually comprise only one switch. Such switches are provided, inter aliawith devices for a switchedon or switched-off locking for predetermineddays, with the weekly dial actuating the locking devices onpredetermined days of the week through the medium of tappets, segments,or other switching or control means. Arrangements of this type have,however, the disadvantage of requiring several different constructionsof the switch, so that the switch, together with the weekly dial,constitutes an expensive but not versatile arrangement.

Another known embodiment of a weekly dial for a time switch provides anelevational displacement of the time disc or .of the operating means ofthe electric switch, thus providing for omission of certain switchingoperations at predetermined times or on predetermined days. Inarrangements of this type,

the week customarily is divided into 1-4 parts, with each day beingdivided into two optional periods. While these 14 parts into which theweek is divided maybe set selectively to be operative or inoperative,the switching affects all tappets related to a particular part of theweek. The operation of such a weekly dial is very complicated and,moreover, this weekly dial does not constitute a versatile or economicalsolution to the problem of weekly switching.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to time switchesincluding rotating daily dials and, more particularly, 'toan improvedweekly switching arrangement forsuch time switches, and which providesvery much more exact and versatile weekly switching than possible withknown weekly dials.

In accordance with the inventiomthe weekly switching arrangementcomprises a continuous switching wheel, in the form of a stepping wheel,rotatably mounted on the daily dial such as, for example, beingrotatably mounted on the switch tapped adjustably mounted on the dailydial. This stepping or switching wheel is advanced one step during eachrevolution of the daily dial, and has a number of switching positionswhich is evenly divisible by seven. That is, the number of switchingpositions may be seven or may be a multiple of seven. Switch controllingmeans may be selectively associated with each step position of thestepping wheel, and switching means cooperate with the stepping wheel ina manner such that, when an associated switching tappet operativelyengages the operating means of an electric switch operated by the daily"switch tappet, the weekly switching is effected at the time of dayrepresenting the angular position of the daily switch tappet on therotating daily dial.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved weekly switchingarrangement for time switches including a rotating daily dial.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a weekly switchingarrangement which is considerably more exact and versatile than hithertoknown weekly dials.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a weekly switchingarrangement which operates at the time of day represented by the angularposition of the "daily" switch tappet on the daily dial.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a weekly switchingarrangement including a rotatable stepping wheel having a number ofstepping positions evenly divisible by seven and which is advanced byone step during each revolution of the daily dial.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference ismade to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a known switch tappet for timeswitches having a rotating daily dial, the daily dial being shown onlypartly and in section;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the weekly switching device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the weeklyswitching device shown in FIG; 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the weekly switching device shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a weekly tappet;

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the weekly tappet inthe disengaged position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a simple double throw switch, showing thepaths of two operating pins;

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a switch operating ona different principle and requiring only one pin path; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view illustrating a friction couplingproviding for adjustment of a switching lever relative to a daily dial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, whichillustrates a known form of daily switching arrangement for a timeswitch including a rotating daily dial, a known switch tappet l issecured to the periphery of a daily dial 3, which has not been shown indetail, by means of a screw 2. In a known manner, switch tappet 1comprises two selectively insertable switch pins 4 and 5 for on and offoperations, respectively. These switch pins cooperate with the operatingmeans of an electric switch forming part of the time switch, and actuatethe operating means at the time of day represented by the angularposition of switch tappet l on daily dial 3. Thus, operations may beeffected once during each revolution of the daily dial, i.e., every 24hours.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in the invention arrangement, a switchtappet I is secured to daily dial 3 in the same manner as the switchtappet l of FIG. 1. Switch tappet l is mounted on daily dial 3 at oradjacent the periphery thereof by means of the screw 2 which engagesinto a slot or groove 6 in daily dial 3. Tappet l rotatably supports astar wheel or stepping wheel 7 which, in the illustrated embodiment,comprises seven projecting fingers or studs 8 which are numbered incorrespondence with the days of the week.

A driving pin 9 is attached to the stationary indicator (not shown) of atime switch and, once during'each revolution of daily dial 3 in thedirection of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, advances stepping wheel 7 by onestep, i.c., by one day of the week. Stepping wheel 7 is releasablylatched in each step position by a leaf spring 10 secured, for example,in fixed position on tappet l.

I Wheel 7 is rotatably supported on an axle or pivot l 1 fixedlyconnected to a plate 12 lying in a plane parallel to that of daily dial3. In turn, plate 12 is secured against angular movement by means of aguide pin 13 secured in tappet 1 and extending through an aperture inplate 12. On the underside of stepping wheel 7 there is provided aradial takeup cam 14 explained in detail hereinafter.

Axle or pivot 11 of star wheel is subjected to the bias of a small coilspring 15, positioned between tappet l and an abutment on the upper endof pivot or shaft 1'1, and biasing plate 12 upwardly. It will be notedthat plate 12 is movable longitudinally of guide pin 13, toward and awayfrom stepping wheel 7 1 In the illustrated embodiment, plate 12 isformed with seven threaded holes or apertures 16, as best seen in FIG.4, which are arranged on a circle concentric with the axis of shaft 11and at equal angular spacings. These apertures 16 are numbered 1" to 7",in correspondence with the studs or fingers 8. Pins 17 may be screwedinto selected threaded holes 16, thereby to actuate the weeklyswitching, by the respective pins 17, at the time of day representedbythe angular position of tappet 1' on daily dial 3. This actuation iseffected by functional cooperation of a selectively positioned pin l7with the cam 14 on the underside of stepping wheel 7. As in the knownswitch tappet 1 of FIG. 1, the weekly switching tappet l of FIGS. 2, 3and 4 also mounts a switch-on pin '4 or a switchoff" pin 5,or both. 1

When, for-example, a pin 17 inserted into the threaded hole 16 at the 1"position, engages takeup cam 14 and, when stepping wheel 7 is advancedinto theneitt stepping position, plate 12 is pressed downwardly,against'the bias of spring 15, so that a switching pin 4 or controls theoperating elements of the electric switch of the time switch, to effectoperation of the electric switch by a daily" tappet 4 or 5. The pins 17thus constitute switching controlling means.

When pin 17 moves out engagement with cam 14 of stepping wheel-7, plate12 is biased back to its rest position by spring 15. After a completerevolution of daily dial 3, stepping wheel 7 is advanced one step by thestationary driving pin 9, despite the releasable latching operation ofleaf spring 10. If, in this next stepping position of wheel .7, there isno pin 17 in the corresponding threaded hole ld-at position 2 of plate12, plate 12 is not moved downwardly and, accordingly, the electricswitch is not controlled by a switching pin 4 or 5.

In a modification of the invention arrangement, the switching tappet ofthe invention need not be positioned on daily dial 3, but may bepositioned on a switching lever extending radially of daily dial 3 andbeing. adjusted, in a known manner, to the desired time of day'of thedaily dial, by means of a friction coupling.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the cooperation of the pin or tappet 4 witha simple switch comprising an operating member 25, engageable withtappet or pin 4, and oscillatable with a movable switch contact arm 26which is cooperable with either of a pair of fixed contacts 27 or-28.FIG. 5 illustrates the arm 25, and FIG. 6 illustrates thefar'rangementof the parts when tappet 4 is moved to a position where it cannotengage.

the arm 25.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further form of simplified switch which is operableby the tappet 4, and whichcomprises a normally closed switch 30 which isoperable by astar-shape operating member 31, engaged by tappet or pin 4,which in turn operates a cam 32 engageable with a longer arm of switch30.

FIG. 9 illustrates the invention arrangement including a daily dial,switching levers, and a switching coupling. Referring to FIG. 9, aswitching lever 18 is frictionally coupled to the daily dial 3 throughthe medium of a washer 19, a spring washer 20, a nut 21, and a nut 22.There are two levers 18 which, with washer l9 interposed therebetween,are pressed together, and with relation to daily dial 119, by springwasher 20 to form a friction coupling allowing the levers to be set tothe desired time. The left side of FIG. 9 illustrates weekly ta pet Ifixed on one lever 18, and illustrates pins 4 or 5 on t e other lever18.

Iclairn:

1. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial and a switch tappetadjustably mounted on the daily dial, for rotation therewith, at anangular position representing the time of day at which a switchingoperation is to be effected by engagement of the tappet with operatingmeans of an electric switch: the improvement comprising, in combination,a stepping wheel mounted rotatably on saidtappet and having a number ofstep positions which is evenly divisible by 7, and which represent daysof the week; means operable, in conjunction with rotation of said dailydial, to advance said stepping wheel one step during each revolution ofsaid daily dial; and switch controlling means selectively associatedwith said step positions and making ineffective operation of saidelectric switch by said tappet, at the time of day represented by theangular position of said tappet, on the day represented by the selectedstep position of said switch controlling means.

2. In a time switch including a' rotating daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 1, in which said switch controlling means includes cammeans and individual switch controlling elements selectively associatedwith said step positions in any desired pattern, said individual switchcontrolling elements being cooperable with said cam means.

3. In a time switch including arotating daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 2, including a plate operatively associated with saidstepping wheel; said individual switch controlling elements comprisingfstuds mountable on said plate; pin means on said plate operatablyengageable with said electric switch in an operative position of saidplate; and means biasing said'plate to an inoperative position; said cammeans being rotatable with said stepping wheel and cooperable with saidstuds to move said plate to its operative position for each stepposition in which a stud is present.

4. In a time switch including a rotatable daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 1, in which said stepping wheel is a star wheel; saidstepping wheel advancing means comprising a fixedly positioned drivingpin on said time switch engageable with said star wheel to advance'the'same once during each rotation of said daily dial.

5. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 4,-including releasable latch means releasablyretaining said star wheel in each stepped position.

6. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 4, including a cam on one surface of said star wheel; aplate adjacent said one surface of said star wheel and carrying pinmeans, said plate having an operative position in which said pin meansare operatively associated with said electric switch, and havinganinoperative position in which said pin means are out of operativeassociation with said electric switch; said plate formed with aplurality of apertures arranged on a circle concentric with the axis ofrotation of said star wheel, and the number and position of saidapertures cor responding to the number and position of said steppositions; means biasing said plate to the inoperative position; and atleast one stud selectively engageable. in a selected one of saidapertures for cooperation with said cam means to move said plate to theoperative position.

7. In a time switch including arota'ting daily dial, the improvementclaimed in claim 1, including a switching lever rernovably mounting saidtappet; and a friction coupling providing for adjustment ofsaidswitching lever relative to said daily dial.

1. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial and a switch tappetadjustably mounted on the daily dial, for rotation therewith, at anangular position representing the time of day at which a switchingoperation is to be effected by engagement of the tappet with operatingmeans of an electric switch: the improvement comprising, in combination,a stepping wheel mounted rotatably on said tappet and having a number ofstep positions which is evenly divisible by 7, and which represent daysof the week; means operable, in conjunction with rotation of said dailydial, to advance said stepping wheel one step during each revolution ofsaid daily dial; and switch controlling means selectively associatedwith said step positions and making ineffective operation of saidelectric switch by said tappet, at the time of day represented by theangular position of said tappet, on the day represented by the selectedstep position of said switch controlling means.
 2. In a time switchincluding a rotating daily dial, the improvement claimed in claim 1, inwhich said switch controlling means includes cam means and individualswitch controlling elements selectively associated with said steppositions in any desired pattern, said individual switch controllingelements being cooperable with said cam means.
 3. In a time switchincluding a rotating daily dial, the improvement claimed in claim 2,including a plate operatively associated with said stepping wheel; saidindividual switch controlling elements comprising studs mountable onsaid plate; pin means on said plate operatably engageable with saidelectric switch in an operative position of said plate; and meansbiasing said plate to an inoperative position; said cam means beingrotatable with said stepping wheel and cooperable with said studs tomove said plate to its operative position for each step position inwhich a stud is present.
 4. In a time switch including a rotatable dailydial, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said stepping wheelis a star wheel; said stepping wheel advancing means comprising afixedly positioned driving pin on said time switch engageable with saidstar wheel to advance the same once during each rotation of said dailydial.
 5. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial, theimprovement claimed in claim 4, including releasable latch meansreleasably retaining said star wheel in each stepped position.
 6. In atime switch including a rotating daily dial, the improvement claimed inclaim 4, including a cam on oNe surface of said star wheel; a plateadjacent said one surface of said star wheel and carrying pin means,said plate having an operative position in which said pin means areoperatively associated with said electric switch, and having aninoperative position in which said pin means are out of operativeassociation with said electric switch; said plate formed with aplurality of apertures arranged on a circle concentric with the axis ofrotation of said star wheel, and the number and position of saidapertures corresponding to the number and position of said steppositions; means biasing said plate to the inoperative position; and atleast one stud selectively engageable in a selected one of saidapertures for cooperation with said cam means to move said plate to theoperative position.
 7. In a time switch including a rotating daily dial,the improvement claimed in claim 1, including a switching leverremovably mounting said tappet; and a friction coupling providing foradjustment of said switching lever relative to said daily dial.